The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-26
MOrmons up in Garrett.
Especial to the Baltimore American. =

MCHENRY, GARRETT COUNTY,
Feb. 13.-That two avowed disciples
of Mormonism are and have been for
nearly three months trying to indoc.
trinate the people of Garrett county
with the repugnant faith of Joe
Smith, seems at first sight a startling
proposition. A careful inquiry and
analysis of all the facts, however. has
developed that there is no we'll
grounded reason for alarm. Brief
mention has been several times made
in the columns the The american re-
garding the advent of these two
young preachers and elders in and
around McHenry. Nothing in detail
has been given concerning them.
There is, of course, no knowledge
beyond what they Say-Whether they
are regularly accredited representa-
tives of the Later-day Saints or
merely neopyhtes. The fact remains
that they are there. openly preaching
and teaching Mormonism, and the
question upperm0st in the minds of
the citizens is what disposition to
make of them. The excitement in
cident to their coming has, in great
measure, abated, but in its place
there is deep-seated feeling of in
dignation and anxiety among the
better and more intelligent classes
lest their insidiOus teachings should
obtain some foCthold among some of
the mountaineers. who, from their
want of knowledge of men and
things, are easily appealed to and
persuaded. Apart from what they
may or may not accomplish, their
mere presence is looked upon as a
piece of audacity and a standing
menace to morality that should in no
wise be countenanced. Though vague
threats of tar and feathers have been
made, these cannot be traced to any
definite sources, and there is not at
this time any organized plan to resort
to violence in order to rid the com.
munity of them. That something of
the kind may be done if they persist
in remaining is not at all improbable,
but as such a step would be in the
hands of the law-abiding and discreet
members of society, nothing will be
done without careful thought, and
unless deemed actually necessary. 1t
is generally considered that they
have accomplished little or nothing
and that if let undisturbed for a
while they will leave voluntarily.
1t is at Oakland, Accident and
other places surrounding McHenry
that the feeling is strongest, while at
McHenry it seems to be more feel
ing of Indifference than anything
else. There are not more than half
a dozen families at McHenry, all told,
and of these some are friendly and
others are opposed to them. Yet
tuCI0 olO bO plOiCocou COh tos hOh
is there any open opposition. 1t is
said that one thing which has pre-
vented the people of Accident from
making an attack on them has been
from fear of bringing on conflict
with few citizens of McHenry. who
have declared that they will stand
by the preachers in case they are
molested.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.
The names of these elders, as they
style themselves. are N. L. Nelson,
of PROVO city, Utah. and l.. l.. Nee
ham, of Milton. In appearance they
are typical, Mormons. More partic-
u.arly is this so of Mecham. He
calls to mind the tall and silent giant
in Joaquin MiIler's story "Sealed
Unto Her." as he pushes his black
coffin mounted !on two wheels, sui
lenly across the plains. Mecham is
over six feet in height, and weighs
about ITO pounds or more. of solid
bone and muscle. He has no beard,
except scattering aftermath, which
has sprouted since his last shave.
His lips and nose are thick and large
and his eyes are like pigs except
that they are blue. His hair is light.
He wears dirty suit of black cork
screw, a dark-gray flannel shirt, a
faded-green cravat, long gray ulster
and pair of coarse leather boots
that have seen no backing since the
day they were tanned.
He is the silent partner. He never
talks. He never breaches. He some
times prays, it is said, and OCCASION
ally he laughs. What his special
part is no one seems to know, but il
is suggested that he is the smuggling
elder in case of trouble. A wave OF
his hand would knock bull down.
Nelson is the boss. He does the
preaching, the planning, and all the